Emma Kisiel
Artist Statement
On and around Warren Way, in a small Oregon Coast town, there is a humble but thriving community. The residents here can be seen doing ordinary things: tending to their gardens and yards, gathering with friends, admiring the ocean view, heading to work and just getting home. Walking up and down the streets in town, it feels like you can spot one or a bunch of them in every scene. This is their town, and they belong here. Like characters in Richard Scarry's Busytown, they "are not animals; they are real people living normal lives." The place resembles a peaceful Watership Down, with rabbits moving about and looking after their warren, exploring their habitat and making community.
During the COVID pandemic, I watched this population carry on with daily life, unaware of the state of humans. They lived their quiet lives in peace and with purpose. Nevertheless, they'd go out alone or properly socially distanced, just like us. Witnessing their existence was like living in a storybook, someplace familiar and charming. A comforting experience during a dark time.
Emma Kisiel | Tigard, OR
Flag, 2023
Digital C-print
16” x 20”